With the Fourth of July around, it's only talk patriotism and fireworks

*Editor’s Note: LAKings.com staff writer Deborah Lew boldly seeks to satisfy the burning curiosity of fans by using current events and thought-provoking creativity to get a comprehensive off-the-ice look at the boys who’ve captured our hearts and our attention span 82+ nights every year.

Each edition will feature two questions: 1) The “Shot,” which will relate to the player giving the answer; and 2) The “Pass,” which will ask the player to name a teammate. Keep checking back for new exciting editions of “Off the Post!”

Independence Day celebrations this year may pale in comparison to the celebrations that were had on the night of June 11, 2012 when the Kings won the Stanley Cup, but there’s nothing that can be done about that.

There’s also a pretty good chance the large, silver chalice will be accompanied by elaborate fireworks displays during its summer with the LA Kings, but for those of us not privied to the private celebrations, the players do have some advice to offer as to where to catch the best views of colorful skyward explosives.

Here’s to a safe, happy Fourth of July to all Kings fans with a championship-worthy celebration of fireworks…or anything equivalent!

The Shot: Where have you seen the most impressive fireworks display?
The Pass: Which of your teammates is the most patriotic?

Shot: I’m from Vancouver, and in August every week they have a big fireworks display and hundreds of thousands of people go downtown to watch. You have to check it out, it’s awesome.
Pass: Drew Doughty for sure – loves Canada – Canadian pride!

Shot: Sioux Falls, South Dakota comes in a close second with my wife’s family. If I didn’t say that, I’d be in trouble. Number one is, in Vancouver, every summer they have Celebration of Lights, it’s a big fireworks festival. There are five or six countries from around the world that participate. They get a big barge and it’s an excessive display of gun powder and smoke and money blowing up in the air for all of us to go ‘ooh and ahh’ to. But it’s spectacular to watch that from a boat – there’s nothing like it – super cool!
Pass: Drew Doughty – I don’t know if he has good arguments behind his patriotism, but he is very patriotic!

Shot: It was after I won the Cup with the Ducks, we went to our owner’s house, and the story is they delivered cash to two freighters that circled around the ocean and fired off fireworks for what seemed like an hour. It was awesome.
Pass: Probably Scuderi